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One out of every five Americans has an allergy, which means that the body's defense system, the immune system, overreacts to foreign substances — called allergens.

Indoor and outdoor allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergies, or hay fever, are the most common types of allergies. Of the 50 million Americans with allergy symptoms, about 40 million are affected by an outdoor or indoor allergy.

These types of allergies may produce similar symptoms, but there are differences in where and when they occur. “Outdoor allergies are more seasonal, and indoor allergies are more obvious in the winter when people spend more time inside," explains Jill A. Poole, MD, an allergy specialist and assistant professor of internal medicine pulmonary at the College of Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Indoor and Outdoor Allergy Symptoms

Although indoor and outdoor allergies have different causes, the symptoms can be similar. "There is a great deal of overlap between indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms,” says Poole. “Generally, outdoor allergy symptoms are the itchy, runny, sneezing type. Indoor allergy symptoms tend to be more stuffy congestion and post nasal drip."

The most common symptoms for both types of allergies include:

Runny nose

Itchy eyes

Sneezing

Stuffy nose

Scratchy throat

Other symptoms may include headache, asthma, and fatigue.

Common Causes of Indoor and Outdoor Allergies

Allergies tend to run in families. If both your parents have allergies, you have about a 70-percent chance of having them also. Many people who have allergies are allergic to more than one allergen, so you could have both indoor and outdoor allergy triggers.

The most common sources of indoor allergies are:

Pets. A main cause of indoor allergies is animal dander, a protein found on the skin and in the saliva of furry pets. "Cats are the most common pet allergy," says Dr. Poole.

Dust mites. Dust mites are tiny creatures that live in your mattress, carpet, upholstered furniture, and other areas of your home.

Mice. "Mice and other rodents also have dander and can be a common cause of indoor allergy," notes Poole.

Cockroaches. "This indoor allergen is common in urban areas. If you see one cockroach, you can assume there are many more," says Poole.

The most common sources of outdoor allergens are pollens, and include:

Tree pollens, which are most common in the spring.

Grass pollens, which are most common in the summer.

Weed pollens, which are most common in the summer and fall. Ragweed pollen in particular is the most common cause of fall allergy symptoms.

Another allergen to be aware of is mold. "Mold allergy can be an outdoor or an indoor allergy," says Poole. “It is most common as an outdoor allergy in the spring.”

Indoor and Outdoor Allergy Relief

There is no cure for allergies, but the best way to get allergy relief is to avoid the allergens you know affect you. "That's especially true for indoor allergy," says Poole. "You should see an allergist and get skin tested to identify your allergies. Then you can take action to control them."

Here are some tips for controlling indoor allergy symptoms:

Groom your pet.Pet allergy symptoms pose a difficult problem if you had the pet before you knew you had the allergy, and are attached to your furry friend. You can decrease allergy symptoms by frequent grooming and keeping your pet out of your bedroom. However, if your pet is causing asthma symptoms, you need to consider finding it a new home, Poole says.

Minimize dust. For dust allergy symptoms, use mattress and pillow covers. Go for hardwood floors instead of carpeting. Keep stuffed animals off your bed and wash all bedding in hot water once per week. "Air filters work better for dust allergies than they do for pet dander," says Poole.

Exterminate. For mice or cockroach problems, your best bet is to call an exterminator.

Here are some ways to help decrease outdoor allergy symptoms:

Close your windows during allergy season and keep the air conditioning on.

Don't hang your wash outside to dry.

Change your clothes and wash up after coming in from outdoors.

Check pollen levels and avoid being outdoors when they peak.

Over-the-counter allergy medications may also help treat allergy symptoms. "One of the best treatments is a saline nasal spray, rinse, or eye drop. These solutions are cheap and they work well to flush allergens out of your system," advises Poole.

If you need more allergy relief, work with your primary care doctor or your allergist to find a prescription pill or spray that helps. Allergy shots are another option for treating persistent allergy symptoms.

Allergy symptoms can be annoying, but by identifying your triggers and taking some steps to reduce exposure, you can avoid some of the sniffling, sneezing, and itching.

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